Reusable Products

BOSTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that the former Synergy manufactured gas facility in Claremont, N.H., is now suitable for reuse and redevelopment after a successful hazardous waste cleanup at the site. EPA and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services oversaw the cleanup, which began in 2015 and concluded in July 2018. On October 11, AmeriGas will transfer ownership of the property to the City of Claremont. “Today’s milestone is a testament to how strategic partnerships can clean up pollution while creating opportunity for local communities,” said EPA New England Regional Administrator Alexandra Dunn. “This outcome exemplifies EPA’s commitment to working with cities like Claremont to put once-contaminated land back to use while ensuring public health safeguards are in place.” Commissioner of the NH Department of Environmental Services, Bob Scott, said that “NHDES is very pleased to mark the formal completion of this important project which restored a high-visibility former industrial parcel to conditions that will allow any number of beneficial re-uses under the leadership of the City of Claremont, consistent with the on-going revitalization of Claremont’s City-Center District”. “This collaborative clean-up effort has not only protected the quality of one of the City’s drinking water sources, but also reclaimed valuable land that runs along the Sugar River for future economic development in the heart of the community,” said Claremont Mayor Charlene Lovett. “Sites that are historically impacted by pollutants reside in many communities in America and remediating brownfield sites is challenging work,” said Claremont City Manager Ryan

DENVER – In honor of Children’s Health Month, yesterday the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of nearly $30 million to support safe drinking water and cleaner air. EPA is making $20 million available for states and tribes to test for lead in drinking water at schools and childcare facilities. At the same time, EPA is announcing approximately $9 million in rebates to public school bus fleet owners to help them replace older school buses with cleaner, more modern vehicles. For more on this announcement visit: https://go.usa.gov/xPKDp In addition to the newly announced resources, EPA has guidance, recommendations, and programs available to support schools in ensuring clean, healthy, and environmentally conscious school communities. “Our schools reflect the best of our communities,” said EPA Regional Administrator Doug Benevento. “EPA offers a variety of resources to help school administrators and parents provide safe places to learn and educate students about environmental stewardship.” A healthy school community starts with traveling to and from school. When safe, walking or biking to school can help children meet the recommended physical activity levels on weekdays, while helping to reduce traffic, lower pollutants, and save money. Clean school buses and anti-idling policies for buses, passenger vehicles, and delivery trucks help reduce emissions in and outside schools. The EPA’s Clean School Bus Program, School Siting Guidelines and Idle-Free Schools Toolkit are useful resources to establish and maintain a responsible transportation program for your school. Inside and out, it’s important to understand how school communities can be protective of health. From recess to organized sports, knowing

SAN FRANCISCO – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) presented its first annual “National Federal Facility Excellence in Site Reuse” award to the former McClellan Air Force Base, in Sacramento County, in recognition of exemplary work transforming the Superfund site into a successful business park. The 3,452-acre McClellan Business Park now supports more than 17,000 jobs and has generated $580 million in public and private investment. “EPA is honored to present the National Federal Facility Excellence in Site Reuse Award to the former McClellan Air Force Base,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Mike Stoker. “This project is a successful demonstration of how public-private partnerships can serve as catalysts for economic growth and community revitalization.” EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Mike Stoker was joined at the award event by Congresswoman Doris Matsui; Air Force Assistant Secretary John Henderson; California Department of Toxic Substances Control Director Barbara Lee; Sacramento County Supervisor Phil Serna; and McClellan Business Park CEO Larry Kelley. “This award celebrates hard work, innovative thinking, and cooperation among federal agencies, states, local partners and developers,” said Hon. John Henderson, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Energy. “McClellan is an excellent example of what can happen when people pull together to accomplish a common goal. In this case, our goal was to restore and protect our environment while also providing the greater Sacramento area with continued economic growth. We are really proud of this entire team of teams.” The award, which EPA is giving to four federal sites nationwide,

Listening Session to Be Held in Chicago, Ill. WASHINGTON – On October 1, 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a public hearing on the proposed Affordable Clean Energy proposal in Chicago, Ill. The proposal would replace the prior administration’s Power Plan (CPP), which many have criticized as overly prescriptive and burdensome, with an approach that empowers states, promotes energy independence, and facilitates economic growth and job creation. Specifically, the ACE Rule establishes emission guidelines for states to use when developing plans to limit greenhouse gas emissions at their power plants. WHAT: Public hearing on the Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) proposal WHEN: Monday, October 1, 2018 WHERE: Ralph Metcalfe Federal Building, 77 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois The hearing will convene at 9 am local time and conclude at 8 pm or until everyone has had a chance to speak. All persons wanting to speak are encouraged to register in advance. Registration information will be posted at https://www.epa.gov/stationary-sources-air-pollution/proposal-affordable-clean-energy-ace-rule. Oral comments and supporting information presented at the public hearing will be considered with the same weight as written statements and supporting information submitted during the public comment period. Written comments must be received by the last day of the comment period, which is Oct. 31, 2018. Comments should be identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2017-0355 and may be submitted by one of the methods listed on the ACE proposal: How to Comment web page (https://www.epa.gov/stationary-sources-air-pollution/affordable-clean-energy-rule-proposal-how-comment). Background The proposal will work to reduce GHG emissions through four main actions: ACE defines

Challenge seeks to harness the creativity and knowledge of students to address on-campus stormwater pollution WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is launching its seventh annual Campus RainWorks Challenge, a green infrastructure design competition open to colleges and universities across the country. Under the guidance of a faculty advisor, interdisciplinary student teams will design an innovative green infrastructure solution that addresses stormwater pollution and benefits the larger campus community by adding ecological and aesthetic value. Teams may submit entries in either the demonstration project or master planning categories. Registration for the 2018 Challenge opened September 1st and closes September 30th. Registrants must submit their entries by December 14th. Winners will be announced in Spring 2019. Each first-place team will earn a student prize of $2,000 to be divided evenly among student team members and a faculty prize of $3,000 to support green infrastructure research or training. Second-place teams will earn $1,000 for student teams and a $2,000 faculty prize. Since 2012, nearly 600 student teams have participated in the Campus RainWorks Challenge. Water pollution associated with stormwater runoff requires infrastructure solutions that are innovative, resilient, and affordable. Green infrastructure refers to a variety of practices that restore or mimic natural hydrological processes. While traditional stormwater infrastructure is largely designed to convey stormwater away from the built environment, green infrastructure uses soils, vegetation, and other media to manage stormwater where it falls. Past winners have designed projects that reduce runoff by adding native vegetation